Last pulling machine



Apzrfill 7, W360 J. T. LANGASTER LAST PULLING MACHiNE Original Filed Feb. 14, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet l 9//\/ l/E/V 747/1 mw w W 9 mm J. T. LANCASTER LAST PULLING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Feb. 14, 1 934 flaw T a a 0252/ -wfi 6 41 2 T o Z w a z E 2 2 4. g

Agwifl 7 MM, ,l T, wc s y-zgg 2,@36,3339

LAST PULLING MACHINE Original Filed Feb. 14, 195 4 Sheets-sheaf 5 Agwfifl 7, J. T. LANCASTER fi fi LAST PULLING MACHINE Original Filed Feb. 14, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Apr. 7, 1936 UNITED STATES mm ere LAST PULLING MACHINE Application February 14, 1934, Serial No; 711,205 Renewed June 6, 1935 36 Claims.

This invention relates to machines for removing shoes from lasts and is herein disclosed as embodied in a machine having one or more members which, upon frictional engagement with a shoe on a last operate to urge the shoe off the last. For an example of a machine of this type reference may be had to United States Letters Patent No. 1,819,440, granted August 18, 1931, upon the application of Arthur F. Pym. In that machine a friction roll is provided for operat ing against the upper of the shoe at the rear end of the shoe to urge that portion of the shoe off the last and another friction roll is provided for operating against the forepart of the shoe for urging the forepart of the shoe off the last.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved machine of the type above mentioned wherein only a relatively slight pressure is necessary between the shoe and the shoeengaging instrumentalities. In accordance with a feature of the invention, there is provided a pair of continuously moving members constructed and arranged for frictional engagement with the opposite sides respectively of a shoe on a last to urge the shoe off the last. In the illustrated machine, the continuously moving members consist of friction belts. These friction belts are angularly disposed relatively to each other with a V-shaped space between them and means is provided for moving a last support to bring the heel end of a shoe on the last into the V-shaped space and into frictional engagement with the belts. This construction, it will be noted, provides two shoe-engaging members located respectively upon opposite sides of the back seam, and, furthermore, each of these areas will be of considerable extent by reason of the fact that the friction belts are each capable of entering into engagement with a relatively large portion of the surface of the shoe. In accordance with a further feature of the invention there is provided a plurality of means engageable with different portions of the shoe respectively to urge the shoe off the last and also means for moving a. last support to bring the shoe into engagement with one of the shoe-engaging means and for moving another of the shoe-engaging means into engagement with the shoe. In the illustrated machine the last support consists of a last pin mounted upon a lever which is moved to bring the upper of a heel end of a shoe on the last into engagement with a pair of driven friction belts. In the illustrated construction, a spring is included in the mechanism for moving the lever to enable the lever to yield, thereby avoiding excessive pressure between the shoe and the friction belts. After the heel end of the shoe has been moved heightwise off the last by these friction belts, another friction belt operates against the forepart of the shoe to urge that portion of the shoe forwardly off the last.

In the case of joined lasts, such as the two part hinged last illustrated herein,the removal of the rear portion of the shoe from the last is materially assisted by breaking the last as the rear end of the shoe is being urged off the last. Accordingly, a further feature of the invention consists of the provision of means for accomplishing this purpose. In the illustrated construction, the last is broken by moving the third-mentioned 15 friction belt bodily against the tread surface of the forepart of the shoe. As soon as the last has been broken and the heel end of the shoe separated from the last, this third-mentioned friction belt, which is continuously driven, acts against the sole of the shoe to move the shoe forwardly off the last.

These and other features of the invention, including certain details of construction and combinations of parts, will now be set forth in connection with the illustrated machine and will be pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring now to the drawings,

Fi l is a view in side elevation of a machine embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a View in front elevation of the machine;

Fig, 3 is a plan View of the machine;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a portion of the mechanism shown in Fig. 3, showing this mechanism in a modified form;

Fig. 5 is a view in side elevation of the upper portion of the machine illustrating a more advanced stage of the operation; and

Fig. 6 is a view in side elevation of a portion of the operating mechanism of the machine.

The supporting structure of the machine consists of an upright frame or standard it having in its lower portion bearings 2 for a shaft M. Loosely mounted upon the shaft M is a pulley l6 adapted to be driven from any convenient source of power. Fixed upon the shaft i6 is a pulley H8 in which is slidably mounted a dog 2%. A spring 22, tending to urge the dog 2t? into engagement with an abutment 2 1 on the drive pulley it, is carried by the pulley it. The dog 2!] is normally held out of engagement with the abutment 24 by means of an arm 25 which engages a slot in the dog 26. The arm 26 is secured upon a rock-shaft 28 and is normally held down within the abovementioned slot by a spring 38. The shaft 28 is Journaled in a bearing 32 carried in the lower portion of the frame II). The shaft 28 carries an arm 34 which is engageable by a spring-pressed plate 35 carried by an arm 38 fulcrumed upon a pin 48 and having an extension in the form of a treadle 42. The dog 28 and the mechanism associated therewith constitute a one-revolution clutch. Upon depression of the treadle 42 the arm 26 will be rocked upwardly out of the slot in the dog 20, enabling the spring 22 to urge the dog into engagement with the abutment 24. The pulley I8 and the shaft I4 will now be driven by the pulley I6. Meanwhile the arm 26 will have been urged downwardly by the spring 38 into a position to enter the slot formed in the dog upon the completion of a revolution of the pulley I8. The free end of the arm 25 is tapered and serves as a wedge to retract the dog 20 from engagement with the abutment 24, thereby releasing the pulley I8 and the shaft I4 from driving engagement with the pulley I6.

In the upper portion of the frame III are bearings 44 for a shaft 45. A pulley 48 is secured upon one end of the shaft 46 and is driven by a belt 50 passing over the pulley I8. Extending from each of the bearings 44 is a bracket 52 in which is journaled a pulley 54. Extending from each side of the frame I0 is a bracket 55. The brackets 58 are each secured to the frame III with provision for heightwise adjustment relatively thereto by bolts 58. In each of the brackets 56 is Journaled a pulley 58. One of the pulleys 68 is directly beneath one of the pulleys 54 and has its axis parallel to the axis of that pulley. Around these two pulleys runs a friction belt 62. The other pulleys 54 and 60 constitute a similar pair of supporting pulleys for a similar belt 52. The two pulleys 54 and likewise the two pulleys 68 have their axes inclined to each other so that the adjacent runs of the belts 62 are in substantially V-shaped relation to each other, although spaced a short distance from each other instead of meeting at the vertex. The two adjacent runs of the belt thus form substantially a dihedral angle with respect to each other, the vertex of the dihedral angle being parallel to the direction of movement of the adjacent runs. Each of the pulleys 54 carries a bevel gear 64. The gears 64 intermesh with each other and one of them is driven by a bevel gear 66 secured upon the shaft 45, the direction of drive being such as to cause the inner or adjacent runs of the belts 62 to travel upwardly. For supporting the inner run of each of the belts 62 against the pressure of the work, there is provided a set of five rolls 58. Extending forwardly from the frame I0 is a bracket I5 having a pair of diverging arms I2. Each of the arms 12, as shown in Fig. 3, is in the form of a yoke across which extend pins 69 upon which the rolls 58 are mounted.

Fulcrumed upon a pin I4 carried by the frame I0 is an upwardly extending lever I8. Extending from the upper end of the lever I6 is a last-pin I8. Pivotally mounted upon a pair of pins I9 secured in the lever I6 are a pair of gage members 8| which are urged, by springs 83, respectively, into yielding engagement with the cone of a last on each side of the last pin I8 to center the last. The lever I6 is operated by a cam 88 secured upon the shaft I4 and having formed in one of its faces a track 82. Secured upon an arm 84 and engaging the track 82 is a roll 85. Extending from the arm 84 is a second arm 88. The arms 84 and 88 together constitute a bell crank and are both fulcrumed upon a pin 90 secured in the frame I8.

One end of a rod 92 is pivotally connected by a pin 94 to the outer end of the arm 88. Freely slidable upon the rod 92 is a sleeve 98 from which extends a pair of trunnion pins 98 which are received within bearings formed in lugs I88 extending from the lever I8. The outer end of the rod 82 passes through an opening in the lever '16 and carries a nut I 02 which serves as an abutment for one end of a compression spring I84 surrounding the rod 92. The opposite end of the spring I84 bears against an end of the trunnion sleeve 95. A collar I secured upon the rod 92 serves as an abutment for the sleeve 95. The spring I04 normally holds the sleeve 96 against the collar I05, but will yield before the inward pull upon the lever I8 becomes excessive.

The last pin I8 consists of two sections, each in the form of a half cylinder, the two sections being pivotally mounted separately upon pins I85 secured in the lever I6. stituting the pin I8 will normally, by reason of their own weight be in contact with each other along the entire length of the pin, and when in this condition the pin '18 will resemble an ordinary last pin. may be forcibly separated by means of a plunger I88 having a wedge-shaped upper end engaging beveled surfaces formed upon each of the sections respectively of the pin 58. The plunger I88 is normally held down and out of engagement with the members of the pin I8 by a compression spring I I8. Extending forwardly from the frame I8 is a bracket II2 having formed upon its outer end a sloping surface I I4 adapted to be engaged by the lower end of the plunger I88 when the lever I8 5 swings inwardly. The effect of such engagement is to force the plunger I88 upwardly, separating the two members l8, or, in other words, expanding the last pin. In order to provide against breakage, the bracket IIZ is not securely fixed to the frame IE! but is pivotally mounted upon a pin I I6 carried by the frame I0. Bearing downwardly against a rearward extension of the bracket I I2 is a coil compression spring I I 8. The rearward extension of the bracket I5 provides an upper abutment with the spring II8. A rod I28 extending within the spring I I8 has its lower end pivotally connected to the rearward extension of the bracket I I2. The upper portion of the rod I28 is freely slidable through the rearward extension of the bracket I5 and has secured upon its end a nut I22 which, by engagement with the rearward extension !5 limits the expansion of the spring H8 and determines the normal position of the bracket I I2. It is evident that if too great pressure should be developed between the plunger I88 and the bracket I I2, the spring I I8 by yielding would prevent breakage.

Extending forwardly from the upper portion of the frame I8 and loosely pivoted upon the shaft 46 is an arm I24 having its forward or outer end forked. Journaled in the forward end of the arm I24 is a shaft I28 carrying a pulley I28. A pulle I30, fixed upon the shaft 46 drives the pulley I28 by means of a belt I32 passing around both pulleys. Loosely pivoted upon the shaft I26 is a frame comprising two side members I34 which are connected at their forward ends by a pin I35 and at their rear ends by a pin I38. Rotatably mounted upon the pin I35 is a pulley I40 and rotatably mounted on the pin I38 is a pulley I42. Fixed upon the shaft I26 is a driving pulley I44 for a belt I48. The belt I48 passes around the pulleys I48 and I42 and beneath and in driving engagement with the pulley I44. Sup- The two members con- However, the two sections of the pin I8 I I64 is a collar I16. Surrounding the rod I64 and interposed between ported by the frame members I34 is a bracket I46 carrying a plate I50 which provides a backing for the lower run of the belt I46. Pivotally connected to each of the frame members I34 is a socket I52 for a link I54. Each of the links I54 passes slidably through a block I56 pivotally mounted in the lever I24. As shown in Fig. 3, the forked forward end of the lever I24 straddles the belt and pulley assembly above described. Surrounding each of the links I54 is a spring I58 tending to urge the frame members I34 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 1. A nut I66 threaded upon the free end of each of the links I54 serves by engagement with the corresponding block I56 to limit the movement of the frame members under the influence of the springs I58 and thereby to determine the normal position of the frame members relatively to the lever I24. Integral with the lever I24 and extending rearwardly therefrom is an arm I62 connected by a rod I64 to a bell crank arm I66 (Figs. 1 and 6). Integral with the bell crank arm I66 is a second arm I68 carrying a roll I16 which engages a cam track I12 formed in the cam 86. The bell crank comprising the arms I66 and I68 is fulcrumed upon the pin 96. In order to provide a yielding connection between the rod I64 and the arm I66 a sleeve I14 is trunnioned upon the outer end of the arm I66. The rod I64 is freely slidable within the sleeve I14. Clamped upon the rod A compression spring I18 the sleeve I14 and the collar I16 tends to urge the rod I64 upwardly relatively to the sleeve I14. A nut I66 threaded upon the lower end of the rod I64 serves upon engagement with the sleeve I14 to limit such relative upward movement of the rod I64.

In the operation of the machine, a last L having a shoe S thereon is mounted upon the last pin 18. The last L illustrated herein is a two part jointed last of the hinged type. The gages 8! will center the shoe to bring the back seam of the shoe about midway between the belts 62, The operator then depresses the treadle 42, tripping the above-described one-revolution clutch mechanism and starting rotation of the shaft I4. Rotation of the cam 86 will first rock the bell crank arms 84 and 88in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 6, thereby drawing the lever 16 inwardly and bringing the rear portion of the shoe upper into engagement with the friction belts 62. As the lever 16 swings inwardly, the plunger I08 will strike the cam surface II4, thereby causing the last pin 18 to expand and grip securely the thimble hole of the last L. The pull of the rod 92 will be transmitted to the lever 16 through the spring I64. The thrust of the spring I64 and consequently the pressure of the shoe against the belts 62 may be varied as desired by adjustment of the nut I62. The belts 62, each being backed by a plurality of small idler rolls rather than by a single roll, will each engage the shoe over a considerable area. Such areas of engagement will be disposed at the counter portion of the shoe on opposite sides respectively of the center line. The belts will thus grip the rear end of the shoe between them; and as soon as such a grip is established, the upward travel of the belts will raise the rear end of the shoe off the last L.

The arrangement of the cam tracks 82 and I12 is such as to cause the bell crank arms I68 and I66 to exert an upward thrust upon the rod I64 so as to bring the belt I46 into engagement with the bottom of the forepart of the shoe at substantially the same instant that the heel end of the shoe engages the belts 62. As the rear end of the shoe is raised upwardly by the belt 62, the belt I46 will be urged downwardly causing the last L to break as the rear end of the shoe is removed from the last. In Fig. 5 the last L is shown as completely broken. As the last in this position can yield no further, the continued upward thrust of the rod I 64 will cause the belt I 46 to develop sulficient friction against the shoe bottom to move the shoe forwardly upon the last L. The upward thrust of the arm I66 will be transmitted to the rod I64 through the spring I18, and the pressure between the shoe and the belt I46 will therefore depend upon the spring I18. The supporting assembly of the belt I46 will rock about the shaft I26 to accommodate the angle of the shoe bottom, not only as the belt comes into engagement with the shoe bottom but also during the breaking of the last. The cam track 82 is so formed as to release the lever 16 sufliciently, as soon as the heel end of the shoe has been removed, to enable the heel end of the last to be clear of the belts 62. Only a slight forward movement of the shoe is needed to loosen the forepart of the shoe from the last and consequently the cam track I12 is so shaped as to cause the lever I24 to be raised upwardly to its normal position after only a relatively short operative engagement of the belt I46 with the shoe bottom. The operator then lifts the completely loosened shoe S from the last L, and the continued movement of the shaft returns the lever 16 forwardl to its initial position. completion of the revolution of the shaft I4, the clutch mechanism above-described automatically becomes disengaged and the shaft I4 comes to rest, stopping the drive to the shaft 46 and to the belts 62 and I46.

It will be noted that the friction belts 62 and also the friction belt I46 are driven continuously during each cycle of the machine, and that the belts will therefore begin to act upon the shoe immediately upon the development of sufficient pressure to provide the necessary friction.

In the machine as described up to this point the friction belts 62 are composed of rubber having a uniform thickness. As shown in Fig. 3, the

pressure of the heel end of the shoe against the belts causes the belts to yield, enabling the shoe to embed itself to some extent into the belts, thereby providing a moderate sized area of contact between the shoe and each of the belts. In Fig. 4, however, is shown a pair of improved belts 62 employed upon the same machine. Each of the belts 62' has formed in it a depression or groove I82 extending continuously all the way around the periphery of the belt. By reason of these grooves I62 a still greater area of contact between the shoe and each of the belts may be obtained as well as a more uniform distribution of pressure over this area.

Having described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A machine for effecting relative movement of shoes and lasts comprising a support for a last with a shoe thereon, a plurality of means engageable with different portions of the shoe respectively to move the shoe relatively to the last, means for moving said last support to bring the shoe into engagement with one of said shoe-engaging means, and means for bringing another Upon the Y of said shoe-engaging means into engagement with the shoe.

2. A machine for removing shoes from lasts comprising a support for a last with a shoe thereon, means engageable with the upper of the shoe to urge the shoe ofi the last, means engageable with the shoe bottom to urge the shoe off the last, means for moving said last support to bring the upper of the shoe into engagement with said upper-engageable means, and means for moving said bottom-engageable means into engagement with the shoe bottom.

3. A machine for removing shoes from lasts comprising a support for a last with a shoe thereon, a driven member frictionally engageable with the shoe upper for urging the shoe off the last, a driven member frictionally engageable with the shoe bottom for urging the shoe off the last, means for moving said last support to bring the shoe into engagement with said upper-engageable member, and means for moving said bottom-engageable member into engagement with the shoe.

4. A machine for removing shoes from lasts comprising a support for a last with a shoe thereon, a driven member frictionally engageable with the upper at the heel end of the shoe to urge the shoe oil the last, a driven member frictionally engageable with the bottom of the forepart of the shoe to urge the shoe off the last, and means operable first to move said last support to bring the shoe against said upper-engageable member and then to press said bottom-engageable member against the shoe bottom.

5. A machine for removing shoes from lasts comprising a pin for engaging the thimble hole of a last with a shoe thereon, a lever upon which said last pin is mounted, a driven member frictionally engageable with the upper at the heel end of the shoe to urge the shoe off the last, a driven member frictionally engageable with the bottom of the forepart of the shoe, a lever upon which said bottom-engageable member is mounted, and means for moving said levers in timed relation to each other first to cause the upper of the heel end of the shoe to engage said upperengageable member and then to bring said bottom-engageable member into engagement with the bottom of the forepart of the shoe.

6. A machine for removing shoes from lasts comprising a support for a last with a shoe thereon, means engageable with the upper of the shoe to urge the shoe off the last, means engageable with the shoe bottom to urge the shoe off the last, a driven cam, and operating connections between said cam and said last support and also between said cam and said bottom-engageable means, said cam and said operating connections being constructed and arranged to move said last support and said bottom engageable means in timed relation to each other first to bring the upper of the shoe into engagement with said upper-engageable means, and then to bring said bottom-engageable means into engagement with the shoe bottom.

7. A machine for efiecting relative movement between shoes and lasts comprising a pair of members constructed and arranged for frictional engagement with the opposite sides respectively of a shoe on a last, and means for continuously moving said members to move the shoe relatively to the last.

8. A machine for removing shoes from lasts comprising a pair of members constructed and arranged to receive between them the heel end of a shoe on a last, means for continually moving said members to cause said members by frictional engagement to urge the heel end of the shoe off the last, and means for holding the last against movement with the shoe.

9. A machine for removing shoes from lasts comprising a pair of driven members angularly disposed to each other with a V-shaped space between them, a support for a last with a shoe thereon, and means for moving said last support to bring the heel end of the shoe into said V-shaped space and into frictional engagement with said driven members, whereupon said driven members will urge the heel end of the shoe off the last.

10. A machine for effecting relative movement between shoes and lasts comprising a pair of driven belts constructed and arranged for frictional engagement with the opposite sides respectively of a shoe on a last to move the shoe relatively to the last.

11. A machine for removing shoes from lasts comprising a pair of driven friction belts having their adjacent runs disposed in substantially a dihedral angle with respect to each other, the vertex of the dihedral angle being substantially parallel to the direction of travel of said adjacent runs of the belts, and means for holding a last with a shoe thereon in position for the heel end of the shoe to engage said belts and to be moved by said belts oil the last.

12. A machine for removing shoes from lasts comprising a pair of pulleys having their axes parallel to each other, a second pair of pulleys having their axes parallel to each other, the

13. A machine for effecting relative movement of lasts and shoes comprising a support for a last with a shoe thereon, a belt frictionally engageable with the shoe to move the shoe relatively to the last, a pair of pulleys around which said belt travels, means for driving one of said pulleys, I

and a backing member positioned between said pulleys for supporting said belt against the pressure of the work.

14. A machine for removing shoes from lasts comprising a support for a last with a shoe thereon, a belt frictionally engageable with the shoe to urge the shoe off the last, and a backing plate for supporting said belt against the pressure of the Work.

15. A machine for removing shoes from lasts comprising a support for a last with a shoe thereon, a belt frictionally engageable with the shoe to urge the shoe off the last, a pair of pulleys around which said belt travels, means for driving one of said pulleys, and a plurality of rolls positioned between said pulleys for supporting said belt against the pressure of the work.

16. In a machine for removing shoes from lasts, a driven belt frictionally engageable with a shoe on a last to urge the shoe ofi the last, and a plurality of rolls of relatively small diameter and relatively close to each other for supporting said belt against the pressure of the work.

17. A machine for removing shoes from lasts comprising a support for a last with a shoe thereon, a belt frictionally engageable with the shoe tomove the shoe relatively to the last, a pair of pulleys upon which said belt is mounted, driving means for one of said pulleys, a frame in which said pulleys are journaled, an arm for supporting said frame, means for moving said arm to bring said belt into operative engagement with the shoe, and a pivotal connection between said frame and said arm to enable said frame to tilt as the belt presses against the shoe.

18. A machine for removing shoes from lasts comprising a support for a last with a shoe thereon, a belt frictionally engageable with the shoe to move the shoe relatively to the last, a pair of pulleys upon which said belt is mounted, driving means for one of said pulleys, a frame in which said pulleys are journaled, and means for moving said frame to cause said belt to engage the shoe at a locality between said pulleys.

19. A machine for removing shoes from lasts comprising a support for a last with a shoe thereon, a belt frictionally engageable with the shoe to move the shoe relatively to the last, a pair of pulleys upon which said belt is mounted, driving means for one of said pulleys, a frame in which said pulleys are journaled, means for moving said frame to cause said belt to engage the shoe at a locality between said pulleys, and means positioned between said pulleys for supporting said belt against the pressure of the shoe.

20. A machine for removing shoes from lasts comprising an expansible pin for engaging the thimble hole of a last with a shoe thereon, a friction member engageable with the outside of the shoe, means for effecting relative movement between said last pin and said friction member to cause relative movement of separation between the shoe and the last, and means for expanding said last pin to grip the last.

.21. A machine for removing shoes from lasts comprising an expansible pin for engaging the thimble hole of a last with a shoe thereon, a friction member driven in a direction to separate the shoe from the last, means for moving said last pin to bring the shoe into operative engagement with said friction member, and means operable upon movement of said last pin toward said friction member to expand said last pin.

22. A machine for removing shoes from lasts comprising an expansible pin for engaging the thimble hole of a last with a shoe thereon, a support for said last pin, a rotary friction member driven in a direction to separate the shoe from the last, means for moving said last pin support to bring the shoe into operative engagement with said friction member, mechanism carried by said last pin support forexpanding said last pin, and a relatively stationary member positioned in the path of said mechanism for operating said mechanism to expand the last pin as the last pin is moved toward said friction member.

23. A machine for removing shoes from lasts comprising a support for a last with a shoe thereon, a friction member engageable with the exterior of a shoe, means for moving said last support to cause the shoe on the last to press against said friction member, a. spring in Said mOV means for enabling said last support to yield d r the pressure of the shoe against the friction member, and means operable while the shoe is pressed against said friction member to move the friction member in a direction to separate the shoe from the last.

24. A machine for removing shoes from lasts comprising a lever, a last pin on said lever for supporting a'last with a shoe thereon, a friction member, power driven mechanism for swinging said lever to cause the rear portion of the shoe on said last to press against said friction member, a spring in said mechanism for enabling the lever to yield under the pressure of the shoe against the friction member, and means operable while the shoe is pressed against said friction member to move the friction member in a direction to raise the rear portion of the shoe relatively to the last.

25. A machine for removing shoes from lasts comprising an upstanding lever, a fixed fulcrum upon which the lower end of said lever is pivotally mounted, a friction member, a power driven crank, a link for transmitting movement from said crank to said lever to swing the lever toward said friction member to cause the rear portion of the shoe on the last to press against the friction member, a spring interposed between said lever and said link for enabling said lever to yield under the pressure of the shoe against the friction memher, and means for moving said friction member upwardly to raise the rear portion of the shoe relatively to the last.

26. A machine for removing shoes from lasts comprising a support for a last with a shoe thereon, a friction member engageable with the exterior of a shoe, power driven means for moving said last support first to cause the shoe on the last to press against said friction member and for then moving the last support away from the friction member, means operable while the shoe is pressed against said friction member to move the friction member in a direction to separate the shoe from the last, and cyclic control mechanism constructed and arranged to start the operation of said power driven means under control of the operator and automatically to stop the operation of said power driven means when the last support occupies a position away from the friction member.

27. A machine for removing shoes from lasts comprising a, support for a last with a shoe thereon, a friction member engageable with the exterior of a shoe, means for moving said last support first to cause the shoe on the last to press against said friction member and for then moving the last support away from the friction member, power driven mechanism for operating said means for moving the last support, means operable while the shoe is pressed against said friction member to move the friction member in a direction to separate the shoe from the last, a clutch in said power driven mechanism, operator controlled means for engaging said clutch to start the operation of said means for moving said last support, and means for disengaging said clutch automatically when the last support occupies a position away from the friction member.

28. A machine for removing shoes from jointed lasts, comprising means for removing the rear portion of a shoe from a last, and means operable during the removal of the rear portion of the shoe from the last to: break the last.

29. A machine for removing shoes from jointed lasts, comprising a support for a last with a shoe thereon, a member engageable with the rear portion of the shoe, means for effecting relative movement between said last support and said member to cause the rear portion of the shoe to be removed from the last, and means operable during the removal of the rear portion of the shoe from the last to break the last.

30. A machine for removing shoes from jointed Q A u u lasts, comprising a support for a last with a shoe thereon, means for exerting a force upon the rear portion of the shoe to remove the rear portion of the shoe from the last, and means for simultaneously exerting pressure against the tread surface of the forepart of the shoe to break the last.

31. A machine for removing shoes from jointed lasts, comprising a support for a last with a shoe thereon, means operable by frictional engagement with the rear portion of the shoe to remove the rear portion of the shoe from the last, a member engageable With the tread surface of the forepart of the shoe, and means operable in timed relation to the removal of the rear portion of the shoe from the last to cause said member to press against the tread surface of the forepart of the shoe to break the last.

32. A machine for removing shoes from jointed lasts, comprising a support for a last with a shoe thereon, a friction member engageable with the exterior surface of the upper of the shoe, means for moving said last support to efiect engagement between said friction member and the exterior surface of the shoe upper, means for moving said friction member to cause the friction member to remove the rear portion of the shoe from the last, and means engageable with the forepart of the shoe and operable in timed relation to the removal of the rear portion of the shoe from the last to break the last.

33. A machine for removing shoes from jointed lasts, comprising a support for a last with a shoe thereon, a driven member normally out of engagement with the shoe and constructed and arranged to remove the rear portion of the shoe from the last when in engagement with the rear portion of the shoe, a member engageable with the forepart of the shoe to break the last, and a cam mechanism for efiecting relative movement between said last support and said driven member to cause engagement between the rear portion of the shoe and said driven member to enable said driven member to remove the rear portion of the shoe from the last, said cam mechanism serving also to operate the forepartengageable member to cause the last to be broken.

34. A machine for removing shoes from jointed lasts, comprising means for removing the rear portion of a shoe from a last, and means operable first to break the last in timed relation to the removal of the rear portion of the shoe and then to remove the forepart of the shoe from the last.

35. A machine for removing shoes from jointed lasts, comprising a support for a last with a shoe thereon, means engageable with the rear portion of the shoe to remove the rear portion of the shoe from the last, a member engageable with the forepart of the shoe, and means for operating said member first to cause the last to be broken in timed relation to the operation of the rear portion engageable means and then to remove the forepart of the shoe from the last.

36. A machine for removing shoes from jointed lasts, comprising a support for a last with a shoe thereon, a driven member frictionally engageable with the rear portion of the shoe to urge the rear portion of the shoe off the last, means for moving said last support to effect engagement between the rear portion of the shoe and said driven member to cause the rear end of the shoe to be removed from the last, a member frictiona11y engageable with the tread surface of the forepart of the shoe, means for moving the second-mentioned member against the tread surface of the forepart of the shoe to break the last while the rear portion of the shoe is being removed from the last, and means for driving the second-mentioned member ina direction to cause it to move the forepart of the shoe off the last when the last is completely broken and the rear end of the shoe is off the last.

JOHN T. LANCASTER. 

